Lately it seems as if every single game that comes out has some sort of exclusive, whether it be a collector's edition or a pre-order bonus from different retailers. It has gotten to the point to where it's just annoying. The main argument - one that I stand behind - is that it leaves a lot of gamers to feel like their experience is lacking. If I'm looking forward to a game and I find out that there is a collector's edition it makes me quite happy, for a moment. Usually these editions are around $100. That's a lot of dough to shovel out, especially in a recession. (I'm actually tired about hearing about the recession, but hey it helps back up my point.) I don't really blame the company for pricing it so high, if I'm able to get a collector's edition then I always feel like I got my money's worth. However, so many games nowadays have these limited editions that I can't possible get all the things I want. Maybe that seems selfish, but games are the only real medium that I spend money on for myself, but that's neither here nor there.

On top of that, different retailers have different bonuses if you pre-order with them. That's what REALLY irritates me. No matter what I do I can't get all the content unless I'm very well connected or very wealthy. Even worse is when I wont be able to get enough cash by then to pay when it comes out, so I don't bother pre-ordering because I'd lose said pre-order anyways.

It wouldn't be as irritating if EVERY game didn't have something like this (I'm looking at you Saint's Row 2 Collector's Edition...)

I mean, I didn't even want that game, but dammit if that bullet shaped USB wasn't so cool...

Anyways, you get my point. I'm just thankful I have the self control to not impulsively buy all these special editions that I see.

Those first two arguments aside, what irritates me further is...multiple special editions. Halo 3 and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 are the first two that pop into mind. That would be at least $200 for one of those titles to get all the content without considering the pre-order bonuses (if there were any, I can't recall.)

I'm just tired of companies spending more time on tangible goodies or in-game exclusives to try to reel in potential customers. While I can't really blame then (it is their job, after all) I'd prefer such items remained, for the beauty that is irony, exclusive to big-name, ridiculously anticipated titles. How one is able to differentiate those titles may be difficult, but that's not the subject of this topic ;)

And finally, my least favorite of all the exclusives: console exclu...you know what, never mind.